Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
ReviewReporting the methodology of height and weight acquisition in studies of body mass index-based prognosis in critically ill patients.
Conflicting findings were reported on the body mass index (BMI)-based prognosis of critically patients. Errors in source weight and height data can confound BMI group allocation. The aim of the present work was to examine investigators' reporting on the methods of height and weight acquisition (HWA). ⋯ These findings demonstrate the prevalent risk for BMI group misallocation in the reviewed studies, which may confound BMI-based prognosis, raising concerns about the validity of reported BMI-related prognostic impact.
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Journal of critical care · Oct 2013
ReviewA review of current agents for anticoagulation for the critical care practitioner.
There has been a tremendous boom in the arena of anticoagulant therapy recently. Although the indications for these agents reside in the noncritical care environment, over time, the impact of these agents have infiltrated the critical care environment particularly due to devastating complications with associated use. ⋯ It is important that the critical care practitioner does not ignore these agents but becomes familiar with them to better prepare for the management of patients on one or more anticoagulant agents in the intensive care unit. To equip the critical care practitioners with the knowledge about commonly used anticoagulants, we provide an extensive review of the pharmacology, indications, and adverse effects related to these agents as well as suggestions on preventing or managing complications.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
ReviewEffects of team coordination during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a systematic review of the literature.
The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate to what extent the literature on team coordination during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) empirically confirms its positive effect on clinically relevant medical outcome. ⋯ Planning is an essential element of leadership behavior and is primarily accomplished by a designated team leader. Communication affects medical performance, serving as the vehicle for the transmission of information and directions between team members. Our findings also suggest teams providing CPR must continuously verbalize their coordination plan in order to effectively structure allocation of subtasks and optimize success.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2013
ReviewEffects of team coordination during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a systematic review of the literature.
The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate to what extent the literature on team coordination during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) empirically confirms its positive effect on clinically relevant medical outcome. ⋯ Planning is an essential element of leadership behavior and is primarily accomplished by a designated team leader. Communication affects medical performance, serving as the vehicle for the transmission of information and directions between team members. Our findings also suggest teams providing CPR must continuously verbalize their coordination plan in order to effectively structure allocation of subtasks and optimize success.
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Journal of critical care · Jun 2013
ReviewNonpharmacologic interventions for prevention of catheter-related thrombosis: a systematic review.
The aim of this study was to summarize randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of nonpharmacologic interventions for prevention of catheter-related thromboses (CRTs). ⋯ Peripherally inserted central catheters and femoral insertion of CVCs should be avoided if possible. Randomized controlled trials are needed to ascertain the effects of other nonpharmacologic interventions to prevent CRT.